The holidays are sneakily approaching and that means it’s time to visit loved ones, gorge on delicious comfort food, and travel of course with your dog because let’s face it, they’re the truly important people in your life you want to voluntarily be with. In fact, a 2017–2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), reported about 37 percent of pet owners travel with their pets every year! Let’s take a look at a couple tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable traveling vacation for your furry best friend.

Health and Safety

Plan an appointment with your veterinarian for a health check up. Ease your mind and make sure all vaccinations are up to date. Remember to bring shot records with you and that health certifications are required for airline travel.

Trying new food in an unfamiliar place will be the last thing your pup wants to do. Packing your hound’s regular chow will help their gut be less overstretched.

It’s always comforting to have an emergency plan. What if your dog ingests a strange object? Have the number of the nearest 24 hour emergency hospital in your cell phone. It would also help to keep in hand your local veterinarian’s number just in case the professionals need to consult with each other.

Know for certain whether your pooch has the right temperament to travel. It will be fun for no one if your dog is yapping away the whole trip. Not to mention it’ll skyrocket their stress levels and that’s just not worth it. Keep in mind if traveling through airlines, some require your pup to be well behaved/fly quiet. You know your doggie better than anyone else so if it doesn’t seem like they are fit to travel there’s always other alternatives like trustworthy dog resorts or sitters.

Crate:

A cozy crate will be where your canine will spend a lot of time in. For them to be truly comfortable their enclosure must be big enough for your furry friend to stand, turn, and lie down. Ventilation should be accessible on opposing sides. Lastly be sure to bring Fido’s favorite toys, treats, and blanket to bring a piece of home with them.

ID:

Every owner’s nightmare would be to lose their fur-child, especially in a temporary location. Here are ways to increase the chances of recovery in the rare event it happens:

Have a tag on your dog’s sturdy leash and collar with their name, your name, and a phone number as well as proof of rabies shot.

Make sure Fido is microchipped. Most shelters by default include a microchip but if you’re not sure, consult with your veterinarian to see if one is needed or if there’s new information to be added.

Have a recent photo of your pooch. Not only is it great for bragging rights, but it’ll aide in the search process (social media, email, flyers, etc.).

Remember, the first trip will always be the ruff-est. As you both get more experience traveling together, it will become more fun each time. These are a few things to keep in mind before hitting the road or jumping on a plane with your dog. The most important thing is to have fun while traveling with your best friend as you both take on the world together.